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#224. The Last Forest (6)
“Help me! Ninedel has been hit!”
“I can’t see the end…! How long will it last…!”
“Ahhhhh!”
An urgent cry and scream echoed through the village.
Elves are a race with high mana affinity, and all of them are wizards with at least one ring.
More than half of them were 2nd circle, and there were rare 3rd circles, but they were having a hard time against the homunculi.
It was because of compatibility.
The magic used by homunculi, which only have red mana in their rings, is of the strengthening and fire series.
The elves were not accustomed to dynamic combat like close combat, and there were also things all around that needed to be protected from the fire.
Huruk! Huruk!
Bright red flames flickering everywhere dyed the field of vision red.
‘Who the hell are these people…!’
Gantt was embarrassed.
Although I could boast of having the longest life history in the village, I had never experienced an invasion like this.
But that was only for a moment.
The experience and wisdom accumulated between the scales of life allowed him to find the most appropriate way to respond.
“Everyone, get in formation! Take turns forming groups of three to defend, and divide up the attack and defense! It will be much easier for you to respond! Once you regain your composure, the path will naturally appear!”
It was a voice that resonated loudly even without using any voice amplification magic.
The elves who came to their senses immediately followed the instructions and paired up with those nearby to engage in battle.
The calm and detailed instructions continued, and the front line, which had been pushed back and reached the World Tree, was able to advance little by little again.
“Okay! Just like this…?”
Gant’s cries became muffled.
This was because, in the distance, a hundred or so enemies could be seen gathered together and creating a fireball together.
Hwaruk! Hwaruruk!
The surrounding branches and bushes were wilting in the heat.
It was clear that if something like that hit directly, the whole area would be reduced to ashes.
Gantt squeezed the water element from the three rings to create a giant ball of water floating in the air.
Those who controlled the water element added strength to the ball, but it was only half the size of a fireball.
Anxiety spread through the elves’ vessels.
“are you okay…!”
Gant turned his head at the sound of the voice and saw Veronica catching her breath.
“Even if I can’t extinguish that fireball, I can deploy a shield to block it. And we just have to hold out. Until Ray gets here.”
“… I know he is an extraordinary boy. I have seen how he manipulates the mana of the Life Stone. But does he have enough power to turn the tide of this battle?”
“It’s a 3rd circle, but it’s much stronger than that. After I figure out what’s happening in the forest, I’ll definitely come back.”
A trembling but confident voice.
One could guess the deep trust the girl had in the boy.
Grinega added from the side.
“If it’s Ray, it might be possible.”
“Yeah, you too… That boy… Is it to that extent?”
“I didn’t tell you, but he’s already made a contract with a top-level spirit. He uses magic in a way we don’t know.”
A murmur spread among the elves who heard the conversation.
“A contract with the highest spirit…?”
“Are you saying that something that only appears on paper is actually possible?”
The contract itself with the spirit was an extremely difficult task.
No matter how many rings there were, if the spirit did not favor it, the contract would not be concluded.
Additionally, the higher the rank of the spirit, the more carefully they choose their contractors.
‘But that human kid made a contract with the highest spirit…?’
Even for Gwendel, who had been in communion with the spirits of the forest for over seven hundred years, wasn’t the contract with the higher spirits limited?
But the doubt was short-lived.
Wedge──!
The fireball that had finished expanding flew fiercely, and a ball of water was shot out to intercept it.
Two spheres collided.
Cheeeeeeek──!
The fireball vaporized the water ball with its incredible heat.
It flew through the air without losing any of its size or speed.
Woof!
Veronica defended with all her might, and the elves who could manipulate white mana helped her.
‘The durability of the defense… can it stop it?’
Veronica bit her lip.
I’ve used defense countless times to fight off enemy attacks, but this fireball was unfathomable.
Then a loud noise was heard.
At the entrance of the village, where everyone turned their heads to look, there was a boy standing.
The boy stamped his feet, feeling as if time had slowed down.
─Thud!
The blue mana waves that started from the balchi moved forward in concentric circles.
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The mana in the air rippled along the movement trajectory.
The abundantly spread water elements clung to the waves and turned into cold water droplets.
Swaaa …
The next moment I realized that a huge wave was sweeping through the village.
Hundreds of homunculi were knocked out, rendered incapable of fighting, and the fireball was consumed and destroyed.
Ray made his way through the water-soaked bushes and writhing homunculi towards the elves in front of the World Tree.
“The enemy is constantly swarming outside the forest. We need to reactivate the defenses and distortion fields.”
At Ray’s words, Gant, who had been unable to close his mouth, came to his senses.
“That’s difficult right now.”
“Why?”
“Someone has stopped the magic stone inside the World Tree, so it will take a long time to restart it.”
“How much?”
Gantt whispered briefly with the young elf next to him before answering.
“Even if we recover as quickly as possible, it will take an hour.”
1 hour.
It was a very busy time for all the homunculi to finish entering the forest.
Then an elf arrived carrying Gwendel on his back.
“We found you lying inside the fourth tree. Judging from the swelling on the back of your head, you appeared to have been struck by a blunt object.”
“Who on earth would do something like this…!”
“Is this the work of an intruder…!”
The elves exploded with anger.
Veronica looked at Ray’s protruding forehead with suspicion.
‘It’s you…?’
‘There were unavoidable circumstances.’
There wasn’t enough time to explain the entire situation.
Ray quickly caught his breath and spoke to Gant.
“We must use the power of the World Tree to prevent the enemy from entering the forest any further. Otherwise, the forest will be destroyed, and even if we win, it will be a battle that is not won.”
“If the number of enemies is greater than you think… then it is a valid opinion. However, the World Tree is still silent. I have tried speaking to it several times just now, but it has remained silent.”
“I’ll try.”
The surrounding elves joined in the conversation.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you just fought alongside us?”
“The World Tree will not respond to our conversation now.”
As various opinions were exchanged and the murmur grew louder, Ray and Gant simply stared at each other.
And then.
“Everyone! Defend this spot with your lives!”
Gantt turned around and shouted in a loud voice.
“Until the boy breaks the World Tree’s long silence! Do not leave your seat! Everyone understands!”
The elves, who had come to their senses, quickly prepared their defenses again.
Before we knew it, homunculi were flocking back from outside the village.
Ray took out a yellow gem and threw it at Veronica before entering the hole in the World Tree.
widely!
“Huh? I don’t know how to use the jewel’s mana?”
“You don’t have to use it. Just hold on tight.”
“What does that mean─ Gyaaaah!”
Veronica soon found out the answer.
This was because Lakhria, who had flown out of the jewel, manifested her body and ran wild among the homunculi.
“What a huge spirit…!”
“This really is the highest rank…!”
“Gyaak! Gyaak! La, Lacrima, just a little bit! Move a little bit more gently! Gyaak!”
Every time the mana stream between Jewel and Lacrima fluctuated, Veronica also fluctuated along with it.
“Re, Raya! Choi, come back as fast as you can! Gyaaaaak!”
“I’ll try.”
Ray flew into the hole.
*
The inside of the World Tree’s trunk was structured like a giant maze.
Although the visibility was not dark due to the fireflies floating around, it seemed very likely that I would get lost if I let my guard down because similar scenery kept repeating itself.
‘It was originally said that the World Tree showed the way.’
If you tell them which room you want, they will guide you by blocking the passage with vines.
But after the silence.
They said that those directions disappeared.
Because of this, it has become a labyrinth that cannot be entered without the expertise of an expert familiar with its internal structure.
But why is that?
“… … .”
Now the boy was looking at the vines blocking one side of the fork in the road.
Ssuk- Ssuk-
It was a clear guide.
No false intentions were revealed.
It was as if he knew where he wanted to go even without saying anything.
‘Originally, I was trying to find a way by spreading mana.’
There is no need for that anymore.
Ray followed the instructions and ran.
In the room we soon arrived in, all the missing children were asleep.
Saegun─ Saegun─
Judging from his breathing and complexion, there seemed to be nothing wrong with his body.
“… The safest place in the forest. It would be the World Tree’s Labyrinth. Since no one is looking for it, there’s no need to worry about being caught.”
Gwendel pretended to take the children out of town, then brought them back and hid them in the World Tree’s labyrinth.
Pieces of mana taken from children.
Left in the void outside the village.
‘That confused me. I guess that’s proof that he noticed my stalking.’
Some questions were answered, but some remained.
Tak─
Ray placed his palm against the labyrinth wall, which could be considered part of the World Tree.
‘I wish we could talk.’
No answer came back.
‘I need your strength.’
This time it was the same.
‘The forest is being destroyed.’
The result was the same.
‘I guess I’ll have to burn it.’
Hurrah!
For a moment, Ray felt his mind being sucked somewhere.
… … .
The place we arrived at was a white room.
The world tree in the shape of a child made of light sent out thoughts as if it were a question.
─Are you crazy?
“It was inside.”
─Were you planning to kill me?
“I thought it wasn’t there because the door wouldn’t open. But the forest’s defenses have been lifted. It’s extremely dangerous.”
My thoughts were momentarily interrupted.
Then a few seconds later.
─I know. You mean the red ants that come into the forest?
“That’s right. I need your help. The ants that have come in now are only a small number. There are many running across the wilderness right now. If we allow them to enter, the forest will be completely destroyed.”
Silence followed again.
Ray asked, looking at the emotions of the World Tree shaking in the room.
“Are you afraid of death?”
─No, I’m just afraid of what happens after death.
“What are you afraid of?”
─All the children in the forest mourn my death.
The World Tree, which had been quiet for a moment, sent out a long message.
─All living things in the forest are like my children. But they all return to the earth before me. That is inevitable. It is a sad thing that cannot be changed no matter how much I struggle. Have you ever imagined? How would a mother feel, constantly sending her children away first? That is why I say. I know what sadness is. I also know what longing is. There is no one in this world who knows these two emotions better than I do.
“What is sadness?”
─Something that weighs on your shoulders all your life.
“What about longing?”
─Suddenly rising and strangling the neck.
“… … .”
─It is a very sad thing that those who have left are still alive in our memories. It is as if our roots will dry up and our leaves will wither. Our daily lives may become impossible. That is why I have decided. I will not pass this kind of pain on to my children. When I die, my children will surely live their entire lives with my death engraved in their hearts.
“So, have you been doing things on purpose to be hated?”
─Because it’s better to be the target of resentment and anger all your life than to be the target of longing and sadness.
“I don’t know if that’s possible, but that’s a very childish way of thinking. It even looks like a child.”
─Hey…? What are you talking about?
“You look like a smaller kid than me.”
─You say I look like a child…?
The world tree’s questions have grown.
I have been conversing with many people for thousands of years, but never has a single being ever projected themselves into a child.
Clearly, the soul feels familiar somewhere… .
Have I met this boy before?
… Even after thinking deeply about it, there was no way to figure it out, so the conversation soon returned to the original topic.
─No matter how many times you ask, it won’t work. If I help you now, all the resentment you’ve caused me so far will go down the drain.
“Let me be clear. Without your help now, the forest will be completely destroyed.”
─No way. The kids can overcome the crisis without my help. It’ll be a bit hard, though.
“If you keep acting so crookedly, I can’t just sit still.”
─You? What if you don’t stay still? This is the area I’ve built. You have no influence whatsoever. You can’t even go back if I don’t let you go… Ugh!
Crack!
The World Tree, hit by Ray’s slap, rolled around on the ground.
─What, what is it? What, what now?
“Just hit it and it will work.”
─No way! This is my territory!
Ray, who approached briskly, lifted the arms and legs of the World Tree.
“Okay.”
─You, who are you…!
Ray put his hand in his bosom.
As soon as I drew an image in my head, something came into my hand.
Swish.
What he took out was a book.
“How to discipline a disobedient child.”
─What, what is it! How did you get that!
“It was originally said that the best discipline was corporal punishment.”
─Okay, wait a minute! Wait a minute!
In the white room, painful thoughts echoed.